Church briefs (Jan. 2, 2015)Falling Water Church weekend revival Falling Water Church will host a weekend revival Saturday and Sunday. Services will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday with Bro. Donnie Chisum of Marshall as the speaker. The revival will continue on Sunday at 6 p.m. with Bro. Tommie Wheeler of Vendor as the speaker. Countywide Prayer Meeting A Countywide Prayer Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Danville First Baptist Church. The event is hos...

RSD hire affects policyAfter a 30 minute executive session, the Russellville Board of Education unanimously approved the hire of William Dawson as new Cyclone head football coach during a called meeting Tuesday. The board unanimously approved the employment of Dawson as a secondary teacher, Russellville High School head football coach, athletic coordinator and offseason coach. "We are very pleased to be able to hire coach Billy Dawson to lead the Cyclone football pr...

Russellville chamber announces banquetThe Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Membership Celebration and Banquet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Center for the Arts. Congressman Steve Womack will be the keynote speaker for the event, Executive Vice President of the Russellvlle Area Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Beerman said. “Russellville is home to many wonderful businesses and individuals, and for 95 years (1920-2015) the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce ...

Obituary: Betty BrownBetty L. Brown, 93, of Dardanelle, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at the Dardanelle Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born April 20, 1921, in Smyrna, Ark., to James Harvey and Bertha Lee Smith Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wiley William “Bill” Brown; a son, William Harold Brown; and three grandchildren, Mark Brown, Sally Brown and Jacob Allen Brown. Survivors include two sons and daughter-in-laws, Gary Dewa...

Obituary: Mary HoffpauirMary Hudgens Hoffpauir, 75, of Pottsville, formally of Alexandria, La., died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home. She was born July 24, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas, to Col. Cedric E. and Mary Ruth Hudgens. She graduated from Cententary College of Louisiana with a BA in Sociology, Psychology, and Education. She worked for the State of Louisiana, Department of Health: handicapped children until retirement. She enjoyed t...

Obituary: Freda GibsonFreda Gibson, 80, of Valdosta, Ga., died at Lakehaven Nursing Home on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014. Born in Paris on Oct. 30, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Fred Lafayette Minyard and Nina Ailene Tucker Minyard. Formerly of Russellville, she had made her home in Valdosta for the past year and a half. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, James M. Gibson. Survivors are her children, Peggy Eichenberger of Russellville, Steve G...

Help Network adds six board membersHelp Network Director Ed Seay announced six new members on the organization's board of directors for 2015. Beginning in January, Trey Smith, Sue Ann Jernigan, Trevor Martin, Stacey Greer, Sherrie Cotton and Skye Thompson will join the organization's board. "I think it's a great community service they do," Smith said of the organization. "I am glad to help be a part of it." Help Network, a faith-based nonprofit organization, was founded in 1992...

Half-marathon training startsThe 2nd annual RussVegas Half Marathon and Relay will be April 11, and runners are already preparing. Race organizers will host an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce for anyone interested in participating who may not know what to expect. The meeting will also give experienced runners an opportunity to find other runners to train with. The official training program, which costs $35 per perso...

News Briefs (Jan. 2, 2015)Kidney Smart Class at library Jan. 8 The Pope County Library System is partnering with DaVita River Valley Dialysis to promote kidney disease awareness with the Kidney Smart class, which will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 in Heritage Hall. The class, which is free, will be taught by Janet Scott, BSN PD RN certified kidney educator. Scott will discuss causes of kidney disease, different stages of kidney disease and health tips. Ligh...

News Briefs (Jan. 1, 2015)Red Barn will not open Friday The Red Barn will not open for singing Friday due to inclement weather. Home Energy Assistance Program ARVAC has announced Winter Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) will open Wednesday. The heating program is a one-time payment that is based on family income and household size. Households or individuals must have proof of income for the previous month for all adults over 18 years of age of the househ...

New leaders take officeCity and county officials elected during the 2014 general election took office Thursday. Mayor Randy Horton was scheduled to preside over his first meeting with the Russellville City Council on Thursday — a called meeting to organize council rules and regulations — after being sworn in at the Pope County Courthouse. Former mayor Bill Eaton was sworn in as an alderman for Ward 2, Position 1 — the seat vacated by Horton. Aldermen who were re-ele...

Dardanelle chamber to host Bazzel at banquetDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Dardanelle Community Center. Themed "Community, Strength and Roots," tickets for the banquet are $25 in advance, $30 at the event and can be purchased at the chamber. Former Arkansas Razorback David Bazzel will be the keynote speaker. Florida-native Bazzel was a team captain, three-year starter and four-year lette...

Bond hearingsThe following individual appeared during felony bond hearings Wednesday at the Pope County Detention Center. Her name, age, anticipated charge and bond amount are listed. If charged, she will appear Feb. 9 in Circuit Court. • Paige Chisum, 27, forgery — $5,000. Chisum was arrested this week in connection with checks stolen in September, according to a police report. Chisum reportedly cashed a $300 stolen check at a local store. District Judge ...

Senior center focuses on healthThe Pope County Senior Wellness and Activity Center will offer opportunities to learn about making healthy choices and other health-related issues in January. "We try and provide not only programs for your social well being but also for your physical well being," Sherry Tidwell, senior programs director, said. To that end, the center will partner with Arkansas Tech University's nursing department to offer a three-part seminar on living with di...

Police working to curb drunk driving during New Year’sLocal law enforcement agencies are doing their part to ensure safety on the roads during the New Year’s holiday. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) will conduct its annual free ride home program where officers will drive home partygoers at no cost. “If you find yourself at a club or party and are unable to drive home, you can call us and we will pick you up and take you home,” Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Dorney said. This year, the Cl...

Obituary: Sidney PittsCLARKSVILLE — Sidney L. Pitts, 76, of Clarksville died Dec. 28, 2014, in Clarksville. He was born Oct. 24, 1938, in Clarksville to Earl and Dee Ray Carlisle Pitts. Pitts is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Wanda Marie Patterson and Arneita Patton; and grandson, C.J. Oglesby. He is survived by his wife, Judith Farris Pitts of Clarksville; sons, Tony Cash of Texas and Ricky Cash of Arkansas; daughters, Tammie Lynn Powell and Terysa...

Obituary: Marie SharpCLARKSVILLE — Ethel Marie (Duck) Sharp, 77, of Lamar, died Dec. 29, 2014, in Clarksville. She was born July 14, 1937, in Crowder, Okla., to Roy and Lois Carr Marshall. She was a member of Jamestown Assembly of God Church and American Legion Post 35 of Chandler, Ariz. Sharp was preceded in death by her parents; daughters, Janet Brand and Rosemarie Riddle; two brothers, Walter Karr and Roy Marshall Jr; sister, Cora “Corky” Jacot; and three husba...